Horses Go In Virginia
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TRAILS TO RIDE
Dear Trail Riders,
As a representative of the Battlefield Back Country Horsemen, I recently met with Joe Ferdinandsen, land manager of Phelps Wildlife Management Area, to clear up some misinformation between equestrians and other users of the WMA area. I'd like to share that information with those of you who trail ride at the Phelps WMA. Please note that the wildlife management areas are supported with funds from hunting and fishing licenses. Here are the posted rules for horseback riding in the WMA.
Horseback/Bicycle Riding
Horseback and bicycle riding are welcome on all roads and trails unless otherwise posted. Please avoid riding in cultivated or planted fields, or on eroded areas. Riders and cyclists should be mindful of all open hunting seasons. Please avoid engaging in these activities when they may interfere with hunters, anglers, and wildlife watchers. Blaze orange hat or clothing is recommended for non-hunters during hunting seasons.
Additionally, here are areas of concern specific to the Phelps WMA. I am sure that by honoring these requests, equestrians will continue to enjoy the privilege of riding at Phelps.
1) If you ride along the road coming in the main entrance, please stay off the grass. The area along this gravel road has recently been cultivated and equestrians should not ride on it.
2) There is a fairly new trail that joins the two cul-de-sacs off the gravel road along the main entrance. It is a fire-break and is not for equestrian use. Please do not ride your horses on this trail.
3) Please do not take your horses in the pond to drink when there are people fishing in the pond.
4) On the gravel road to the shooting range, there is a water hole to the side of the road that has experienced much erosion. Please do not ride your horses here.
5) Be aware that spring gobbler season is April 10 – May 1, ½ hour before sunrise until noon. From May 3 – May 15, the season is ½ hour before sunrise to sunset.
6) You can access all the hunting seasons at http://www.dgif. virginia. gov/wmas/ seasons/seasons- cf-phelps- wma.pdf
Thank you for your cooperation. Please practice "Leave No Trace" principles wherever you ride.
Toni Sheads
Battlefield Back Country Horsemen
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LEESBURG WEST click
Leesburg to Ashburn about 18 miles round trip.
Take Route 7 west into Leesburg past the Douglass Community Center and turn left on Catoctin Circle. Follow that road until you turn left on Dry Mill Road. Turn immediately right into the parking lot of Loudoun County High School. The trail is several hundred yards further down Catoctin Circle. Only for parking on weekends during the school year. Horseback riders are requested to clean up after their horses in the parking lot.
This is a large parking lot and very easy to get in and out of, just pull in and park. We park in the back behind the Naval ROTC building, well thats what it was two weeks ago, MAKE SURE YOU CLEAN UP POO WHEN YOU LEAVE!!!!! WE LIKE PARKING HERE! Others also use this lot such as cyclist and runners.
You will need to have a bombproof horse for this trail. This trail is multipurpose BUT highly trafficted by cyclist. There are pedestrians and baby buggies but 90% is cyclist. That said on to the good part.
Once tacked up stroll out of the parking lot and turn right on to the path and stay on the path.
This is a nice shaddy trail traveling through communities and crossing streets. There is even a street in Leesville where you have access to the crossing button...at horse height!!! Folks will be sitting on their patios bar-b-queing as you ride by and they will wave and tell you how nice it is to see horses on the trail. The pedestrians will say the same. Everyone loves the horses...cyclist are a bit annoyed and most will follow the rules and stop their bikes for you. There is a bridge, and then about three overpasses, one over highway 15 and others are over rivers. These will have a fence wall for safety. Here cyclist will yeild for equestrians. Horses will stay on dirt pathways but there will be some areas where you will be on the hardtop path so stay to the appropriate side. We usually ride to Ashburn, we call it Mecca. Why? Well, FOOD of course!
FOOD: There is a great barbeque place there, Carolina Brother's Barbeque,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6HiDDvA-yo
Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 10:30 pm - 7 pm
Fri-Sat 10:30 pm - 8 pm
Yes, this is vinegar-style barbeque, it...is...good! This place does the business too. It is located in an old country store, still has a lot of the atmosphere but is doing a bang up business. If you don't like barbeque you can get other things....oh! the brownies...to die for! There will be cyclist, hikers, pedestrians, locals all gathered around. There are tables with umbrellas on one side and a hitching post on the left of the path with two or three tables and shade. Plenty of large rocks to use as "mounting aids". We have even gotten a bucket and water from the resturant folks for the horses. We keep forgetting to bring a collapseable bucket.
WATER: There is water along the way for the horses at a place with a lot of concret reforcement for the river. If you look to the right, going to Ashburn, there is a path where fishermen will walk in and the horses can walk into the stream for water, nice and cool in there too.
You will be tired when you get back to the trailer!!!.....cp
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Syria, Graves Mountain and Nethers This is a large parking lot and very easy to get in and out of, just pull in and park. We park in the back behind the Naval ROTC building, well thats what it was two weeks ago, MAKE SURE YOU CLEAN UP POO WHEN YOU LEAVE!!!!! WE LIKE PARKING HERE! Others also use this lot such as cyclist and runners.. This trail is multipurpose BUT highly trafficted by cyclist. There are pedestrians and baby buggies but 90% is cyclist. That said on to the good part.This is a nice shaddy trail traveling through communities and corssing streets. There is even a street in Leesville you have access to the crossing button...at horse height!!! Folks will be sitting on their patios bar-b-queing as you ride by and they will wave and tell you how nice it is to see horses on the trail. The pedestrians will say the same. Everyone loves the horses...cyclist are a bit annoyed and most will follow the rules and stop their bikes for you. There is a bridge, and then about three overpasses, one over 15 and others are over rivers. These will have a fence wall with them for safety. Here cyclist will yeild for equestrians. Horses will stay on dirt pathways but there will be some where you will have to be on the hardtop path so stay to the appropriate side. : This is a link to Jeremy Squire's website which has a lot of useful info, printable maps etc on riding the 100 mile plus trail network at Syria, Graves Mountain and Nethers as well as other info of interest to trail riders.
Manassas Battlefield: Wonderful battlefield full of history. Imagine riding over the battlefied where the Civil War began. Two battles were fought here, The Battles of First and Second Manassas. Most of these trails are in woods and wonderfully shaded. You will need to purchase a parkpass ($3 one day or $25 per year) from the Visitors center on Hwy 234 about 1 mile from I66. Pass has to be on your person while in the park. Horse trailer parking on Hwy 29 at Groveton Cemetary and on I66 (turn at the Cracker Barrel just off I66, follow this road past Strayer College to parking lot). These trails will connect to Bull Run Park by riding the Portici Loop, when you come to Bull Run River look to the right there is an opening in the trees follow until you come to the Jersey Barriers I66 is just above you. Your horse can pass through may take some coaxing. Once you pass under I66 you are in Bull Run Park. Follow the trail you will need to cross Bull Run. Do not cross if the water is high it does run guick here. Turn around and go back. Normally the water will be about a foot deep.
Bull Run Trails are nice and shaddy you will encounter walkers in both parks. Bull Run allows equine camping, Bull Run trails do pass by soccer fields, a water park, picnic areas, and wind through the camp sites. Now the best part...you can access the Blue Trails from here!!!! Does it ever end!!!! The trail follows Bull Run Creek , the Occoquan River, Hemlock Overlook, and runs into Bull Run Marina Regional Parks which will connect to Fountainhead Park. These trails are intended for hiking or horseback riding, I believe biking is allowed past the Marina. I, and friends, have riden from Fountainhead parking lot to Bull Run Park which is a 20 mile, 8 hour ride (with breaks, pack a lunch and snacks for you and your horse) and can be a challenging trail at points. Horse and rider needs to be in shape and the goal is to camp at Bull Run. To do this a friend will need to drop that rig at your Bull Run campsite. Maybe persuade him/her to set camp for you and have dinner ready...you will be tired
WASHINGTON AND OLD DOMINION 